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Too many Baptist Mission boards

Discussion in 'Evangelism, Missions & Witnessing' started by Salty, Jul 2, 2009.

  1. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Do you think there are too many Baptist mission boards? I understand that many Baptist groups will have their own, but there are many independent boards as well. Many of them are small. My thinking is that if some would merge, there would be less "Chiefs" and allow more "Indians" to be on the field starting local churches.

    Here is a couple of web sites listing the many mission boards

    Independent Mission Boards

    Fundamental Mission Boards

    Goggle search

    Thoughts

    Salty

    PS this is not a thread about the need of or "unbiblical" use of mission boards. If you feel that is necessary, please start another thread.
     
  2. Spinach

    Spinach New Member

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    Many mission boards exist to care for the missionaries in their own individual church. Others perhaps have a slight disagreement and want to be sure that the missionaries they are supporting share their beliefs entirely.

    I can't say whether or not I think there are too many mission boards, but one question has always puzzled me----if a church doesn't support a missionary that is through a mission board and not through their home church, why does that church support missionaries that are not of their very own assembly? But, that is another topic for another day.
     
  3. Joseph M. Smith

    Joseph M. Smith New Member

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    The Baptist World Alliance has done some coordinating among the mission boards in order to help avoid duplication of effort. However, some you have listed would not be part of the Alliance.

    In past years there were some comity agreements, informal as well as formal, that "assigned" certain mission fields to one organization or another. But these things break down when one group has a theological ax to grind.
     
  4. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Hi, Salty!

    Except for "Brighter Future" and "Wayfarer" (which two I've never heard of) the boards in this first link are genuine, good boards, each with their own constituency. I think that is the key word: constituency. BWM (my board) was started by and for northern fundamentalists, while BIMI is for the southerners. BMM on the other hand was originally GARB. I have worked closely for many years with men from both boards in camp, Bible institute, NT translation, etc.

    Also, there is a difference in ministry philosophy. BMM has field councils, the other boards on this list do not. This is a very important difference.

    But the variety of legitimate boards is a good thing, I feel. That way there are more voices promoting world evangelism in the homeland!
    In this list I see something similar: geographical constituency. For example, Baptist Mission to Forgotten Peoples reaches some people groups my board does not. Also, Fundamental Baptist World-Wide Mission reaches Latin America, but not Asia. Again, a good thing!
    This would be a lot harder to evaluate without going through a lot of work. Unfortunately for that, I head out for Gunma Prefecture early in the morning for a week-long ministry trip and have no more time. Hopefully I'll get back on this thread when I return.
    Saturday evening I called a BMM missionary about a missions trip I'll make in the fall to a country where they have a missionary but my board doesn't. This week in Gunma I'll be with a man who isn't under a board but is nevertheless a precious friend and a good missionary. This past week I've been corresponding with other men about camp, and about our pastors fellowship in the fall (Japanese men, BBF missionaries, our board, independent missionaries). At least here in Japan, we all work together! The Lord of the harvest is the Holy Spirit, and He helps us out here, regardless of boards.

    I hope this helps!

    John
     
    #4 John of Japan, Jul 5, 2009
    Last edited by a moderator: Jul 5, 2009
  5. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    I suppose one way to look at it is, lets say that 4 mission boards merge; the the admin staff can be trimmed, and those on the executive staff, can be back out on the mission field.

    Thoughts?
     
  6. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    Possible, but sometimes more missionaries can mean a need for more admin.
     
  7. Salty

    Salty 20,000 Posts Club
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    Are you looking for a promotion? :laugh: :smilewinkgrin:
     
  8. NaasPreacher (C4K)

    NaasPreacher (C4K) Well-Known Member

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    While fearing to sound more spiritual than I am - no. :)

    There is no promotion possible from the place God has put me. I am at the top of the pyramid as far as I am concerned.
     
  9. Tom Bryant

    Tom Bryant Well-Known Member

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    So administrating this board is the top of the pyramid? :tongue3: :laugh:

    I know what you meant. I feel the same way as the pastor of fbc, osprey.
     
  10. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Amen and amen! :thumbs:
     
  11. Fred Moritz

    Fred Moritz New Member

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    Mission Boards

    John and C4K:

    I love you guys! I used to administer your board, and I loved it. That was the top of the pyramid because it was God's place for me. I am in different ministries, not administering anything, and am on top of another pyramid. You two and hundreds more with BWM are just the best.
     
  12. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Well, we sure miss you at BWM! But God willing we'll see you on our next furlough, planned to start in May next year. Looking forward to the fellowship.

    Thanks for having lunch with Paul the other day. He enjoyed it.
     
  13. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Several years ago, a former pastor of mine felt God's call to overseas missions. However, he was too old to meet the criteria of the Southern Baptist International Mission Board. So he sought out another mission board, and spent several fruitful years in Uganda under its auspices.

    The mission organization in question was basically Baptist in orientation, and filled a niche that the SBC IMB could not.
     
  14. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    I would agree that less by merger would maybe be good however some of the small boards might be so that the local church has more control over the workers which is also good since missions should, in my mind, be an extension of the local church, or a small group of churches.

    It gets the people more involved with their missionaries.

    One of the independent, non-baptist boards tried specifically to involve local churches more by having close reporting from missionaries then forwarding that info to the churches. They did a lot of other things to try and tie the churches into their work.
     
  15. Whowillgo

    Whowillgo Member
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    Sir, I tip my hat to you. If all the men of God felt that way what an impact we would have.
     
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